Pittsburgh City Paper Booze Battles: Cure vs. Umami

How does the Bamboo cocktail fare?

Each week, we order the same cocktail at two different bars for a friendly head-to-head battle. Go to the bars, taste both drinks and tell us what you like about each by tagging @pghcitypaper on Twitter or Instagram and using #CPBoozeBattles. If you want to be a part of Booze Battles, send an email to food-and-beverage writer Celine Roberts, at celine@pghcitypaper.com.

Cure

5336 Butler St., Lawrenceville

Drink: Bamboo

Ingredients: Fino sherry, vermouth, orange bitters, angostura bitters

Our take: Cherry notes lilt through this cocktail, while accents of minerality, bolstered by citrus, add complexity. It’s a nod to the dry martini, and its smooth mouthfeel makes this little cocktail shine in its simplicity.

Umami

Our take: Rose and cherry notes are strong on the nose of this cocktail, while a sip brings a hit of salinity. The vermouth gives a bit of a bite to the silky mouthfeel and the subtle flavors of tropical fruits.